Arch support for shoes



Aug. 30, 1938. w. CHELMO ARCH SUPPORT FOR'SHOES Filed Feb. 28, 1936Inventor A [for ne y Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFlCE1 Claim.

This invention relates to boots and shoes and it has particularreference to a structure attached to the innersole and its principalobject resides in the provision of a built in arch sup porting mediumrelieving the strain imposed upon that part of the foot known as themetatarsus and especially at the point where the metatarsal bones jointhe tarsus and correct an improper posture of the foot when bearing theweight of the individual.

Another object of the invention is manifest in the provision of astructure adapted to suit the requirements of the individual wearerwhich can be incorporated into the shoe when manufactured orsubsequently fitted thereto and formed to afford a comfortably contouredsurface against which the sole of the foot may repose while supportingthe body.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of anarch support embodying elements especially adapted to any type of shoeor foot and providing a natural means of straightening or correcting thefoot and strengthening the muscles and tendons therein.

Broadly, the invention seeks to comprehend the provision of a meanswhereby the arch of the foot can be properly retained in positionlaterally, as well as vertically, and thus prevent straining the plantararch and ligaments yet allowing the unrestrained action of all of thenumerous cooperative elements of the foot.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects willbecome manifest as the description proceeds taken in connection with theappended drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention stitched to an innersole.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a shoe showing a portion cut awayfrom the inner side illustrating the improved arch support positionedtherein.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken on lines 44 ofFigure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the support showing the preferred form, and

Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of a skived leather laminatingstrip for building up the support.

The tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot are normally support-edbetween the heel bone and the phalangeal joints of balls of the toesonly by the elastic ligaments or cartilage which become fatigued understress and yield, producing a defect which is commonly termed flat foot.The corrective value of the arch support herein described is thusappreciated.

The invention consists primarily of a saddle I, cut from leather, orsimilar material, and shaped to substantially conform to the outline ofthe heel portion a of an innersole 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, andhaving a flap, or extended portion b which normally curves upwardly andreposes against the side of the shoe 3 on the inside of the foot andprovides a comfortable surface conforming to the contours of the solethereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The saddle l is preferably stitched at c to the outer edge of theinnersole 2 opposite the up turned portion b, as illustrated in Figure1, anchoring the same to the innersole 2 and allowing the saddle l tohinge upwardly 'at that point and thus permit the insertion of skived orwedgeshaped pieces of leather 4 thereunder to elevate L the upwardlyturned side b of the saddle I, in the manner illustrated in Figure 4, inorder that the saddle I may slope toward the outer edge of the innersole2 away from the upturned portion 2) providing a suitable support for theinner side of the foot beneath the plantar arch and relieving ihe normalstrain imposed upon the tarsal and metatarsal bones and ligamentsintermediate the heel and the ph'alangeal joints or balls of the toes.

An object of the invention is to provide a suitably adjustable archsupporting medium for different types of feet, requiring varyingcorrective measures, depending upon the condition of the muscles of thatportion of the foot called the arch. It is not infrequent that theso-called Y ligament or astragalus, and the muscle known as theposterior'tibial, which together provide the sole support for the weightof the body across the plantar arch, become weakened and yield understress and must therefore be assisted or reenforced to avoid flatteningof the sole of the foot resulting in painful fatigue.

The saddle l is especially designed to comfort- Obviously the structuraldesign of the saddle especially fitted to the shoe which is the choiceof I is especially adapted to retain the foot in an upright positionand, when necessary, over-correct the defect. The peculiar structure ofthe human foot defines a lateral semi-arch which springs from the cuboidon the outside to the inner cuneiform on the inside of the foot acrossthe anterior portion of the instep and thus accounts for the so-calledhollow of the foot which frequently requires support.

In the conventional manufacture of boots and shoes the nails retainingthe heels are clinched or bradded inside the shoe and covered with arelatively thin piece of leather which is often insufficient protectionagainst these elements irritating the flesh and the saddle I is capableof adequately insulating the oifensive'nails from the heel.

It will be noted, by reference to Figures 3 and 4,

that the skived members 4 may also be sewed at d to the innersole 2 toretain them in place and prevent their being displaced once theseelements are properly positioned. Contrary to the manner in which theconventional removable arch support is placed in the shoe, wherein theactual supporting medium, or arch, is. loosely arranged therein andallowed to find its own position beneath the foot of the wearer, theherein described elements are secured to the innersole 2 the wearer.

The innersole 2 may be removable or fixed in the shoe as desired and,although it is preferable to build the assembly into the shoe at thetime of its manufacture, it is of such character as to enable itsadaptation to several pairs of shoes when provided in sizes and shapesconforming to standard or special lasts.

Although the invention has been described with great particularity, itis obvious that certain changes and modifications may be resorted tofrom time to time by those skilled in the art and posite edge thereofrearwardly from the vicinity i of the ball line of the said shoe to apoint near the breast line.

LEVI W. CHELMO.

